After nearly two decades of marriage, Richard Thomas was blindsided when his first wife filed for divorce. But it didn’t take long for “The Waltons” star to open his heart to someone new, with the second chance at love bringing him a “happier life.”

Richard Thomas became a familiar face on television screens during the 1970s, winning over audiences with his charm and talent. As his career took off, he met and married his first wife, and the couple seemed to have a picture-perfect life together — until she blindsided him with a divorce that left him reeling.

The experience brought Richard to a crossroads, and while he never expected to marry again, life had other plans. He was lucky enough to meet someone who brought joy back into his life.

Take a closer look at his life over the years, including his first marriage, meeting his second wife of over 30 years, and how they built their beautiful blended family.

Hollywood Success and Finding Love

Richard became a household name thanks to his unforgettable portrayal of John-Boy Walton in the beloved CBS drama series “The Waltons.” His performance as the aspiring writer from rural Virginia earned him widespread acclaim, including an Emmy Award win and two Golden Globe nominations.

After his success on “The Waltons,” he continued building an impressive career. However, it was his personal life that often piqued fans’ curiosity, particularly his first marriage to Alma Gonzales, a romance that seemed plucked from a storybook.

The actor met Alma at a Middle Eastern nightclub called The Fez in Los Angeles, where she was practicing folk dancing. He recalled how he couldn’t take his eyes off her, saying, “She was obviously the best dancer there and I kept ending up with her.”

Their connection quickly blossomed, and the couple tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in 1975. The ceremony was intimate, taking place at Richard’s childhood Baptist church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side — a far cry from the glamorous Hollywood backdrop many might have expected for a TV star.

The bride, born in Los Angeles, studied at a local junior college and dedicated her time to teaching English. While she wasn’t a professionally trained dancer, she proved to be a natural, as her grace on the dance floor impressed her future husband.

After their wedding, the couple spent their honeymoon in New York City, where Richard made sure to treat his new wife to a hansom cab ride around Central Park.

The pair soon became proud parents. In addition to their son, Richard Jr., the couple made headlines when Alma gave birth to triplet daughters: Barbara, Gwyneth, and Pilar. The triplets’ arrival was a surprise for the couple.

Initially expecting twins — a trait that ran in both families — they were shocked when a third heartbeat was discovered during a routine check-up. Richard embraced fatherhood with enthusiasm, playing an active role in raising his children. “I’ve always taken them to school, made breakfast, made dinner,” he shared.

However, despite what seemed like a solid marriage, trouble brewed behind the scenes. After nearly two decades together, Alma filed for divorce in 1992, citing irreconcilable differences.

Richard’s friend, actor Bruce Davison, shared that the former was taken aback by the separation. “He told me that he was shocked that she wanted to separate,” Bruce revealed.

Alma admitted that the decision wasn’t easy but explained, “I guess I shocked him. But if you are really in touch with your mate, you can see things are not right. I wasn’t very happy [in the marriage]. There is no [single] reason why one person’s needs get met and the other person’s do not.”

She further acknowledged that her ex-husband was “a good person” and expressed gratitude that their separation didn’t turn bitter. “[The separation is] amicable, thank goodness, because we have four terrific kids,” she said.

Their kids split their time between both parents, with Richard taking on a hands-on approach to parenting even after moving out of their family home in the Hollywood Hills.

He rented a nearby house to remain close and continued to be actively involved in their lives. Reflecting on the challenges of single parenthood, the actor admitted, “I have enormous admiration for single parents.”

The divorce wasn’t easy for Richard, who admitted it wasn’t his choice to part ways. “[…] At some point, life brings you to your knees, and in my case, it was a painful divorce that was not, N-O, my idea,” he candidly shared.

However, he believed the experience ultimately led him to a better place in life. “But because of it, I was dragged kicking and screaming into a happier life,” he added.

While he rarely discussed the split publicly, the actor revealed that he sought therapy to help navigate his emotional struggles. “I have a wonderful therapist,” he stated.

Despite the heartbreak, he maintained that he and Alma continued to communicate and co-parent effectively, ensuring their children were their top priority. However, little did he know that a new romantic chapter was around the corner.

Finding Lasting Love and Building a Blended Family

After enduring the painful end of his marriage to Alma, Richard never anticipated walking down the aisle again. However, in 1993, fate had a different plan when he crossed paths with Georgiana Bischoff, an art dealer with a quiet demeanor and a passion for creativity.

Their romance blossomed quickly, and within a year of his divorce, the actor was once again exchanging vows. On November 20, 1994, Richard and Georgiana tied the knot in an intimate ceremony attended by nearly 50 close friends and family members.

Richard’s eldest son stood by his father’s side as the best man, while his triplet daughters joined Georgiana’s daughters, Brooke and Kendra, as bridesmaids. The couple then welcomed a boy together, Montana, who completed their family.

In an unexpected twist, Richard’s real-life experience mirrored his on-screen portrayal in “The Waltons,” where he played one of seven children. After his marriage to Georgiana, he became a father of seven in real life. “It wasn’t planned. I guess seven is my number,” he reflected on the coincidence.

However, blending a family of six children and welcoming a seventh wasn’t without its challenges. “It wasn’t always easy,” Richard admitted. “Blending a family of six kids and then having our own son — that’s a big job. It causes tension and challenges, but we’ve been able to weather every storm and those complicated parts of life.”

While raising a large blended household required patience and understanding, the actor’s approach to parenting evolved over the years. He believed in allowing his children to grow into their own identities without imposing his own expectations on them.

“Don’t try to make them be like you. Leave them alone,” he said. “I don’t mean let them go out and play in traffic, but let them be free to grow into who they are.”

He also humorously described the complexities of blending families, joking, “Blending a family of this size is like postgraduate work for people who failed the course.”

Despite their large family, Richard and Georgiana managed to build a strong bond through trust, communication, and a shared sense of humor. “I’m married to the most honest, straightforward person, so you always know where you stand,” the actor said of his wife.

Over time, their children pursued their own unique paths in life. In 2014, “The Waltons” star shared, “Our youngest daughter is an aspiring actress, and our oldest daughter is a post-production producer.”

Meanwhile, Georgiana’s daughter Kendra found her passion in yoga. According to her Instagram, she teaches various disciplines, including meditation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), but yoga remains her foundation. “Yoga is where it all started,” she wrote in part in a 2022 post.

Kendra also remains close to her family. In August 2023, she shared a heartfelt post about her first trip back to L.A. since 2019. “Some things remain the same, but others have changed dramatically,” she shared. The post included photos of her sister Brooke, who is a mother.

Richard’s youngest child, Montana, also pursued a creative path. Based in New York City, he carved out a niche as a poet and artist, blending humor and emotion in his work.

He also penned a monthly column and curated and hosted a poetry reading series, which gathered writers and artists for intimate storytelling events.

Despite his literary success, Montana remained humble about his artistic journey. “I studied fine arts, I did not study writing, which I think makes me a better writer and a worse fine artist,” he joked.

Richard Thomas’ journey from heartbreak to lasting love proves that second chances can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. After overcoming the pain of divorce, he built a strong, blended family with Georgiana by his side.